Kok Hou Wong

Gold-Loaded Organic/Inorganic Nanocomposite Honeycomb Membranes*

RAFT polymerization was used to prepare polystyrene – poly(4-vinyl pyridine) block copolymers, PSn-b-P(4VP)m. Well-defined block copolymers were obtained despite some indications of hydrolysis of the RAFT endgroup during synthesis. The block copolymer PS70-b-P(4VP)55 was self-assembled into micellar structures in dichloromethane, leading to nanoparticles with hydrodynamic diameters of 70 nm. The micelles were loaded with HAuCl4 and, upon reduction, micellar gold-containing nanoparticles with hydrodynamic diameters of 240 nm were obtained. These nanoparticles were employed in the preparation of honeycomb-structured porous films by means of the breath figures technique to yield gold nanocomposites with a hexagonal porous array.

Menthol-based chiral copolymers for polymer optical fibres (POF)

This study investigates the fabrication of menthol-based copolymers for use in polymer optical fibres (POF). A chiral monomer, (−)-menthyl methacrylate ((−)-MnMA) derived from (−)-menthol, was synthesized that displays a specific rotation of [α]20D (neat) = −90. It was further copolymerized with methyl methacrylate (MMA) either in bulk or in solution viafree radical polymerization. PMMA-co-P(−)-MnMA copolymers synthesized in bulk yielded turbid polymers, whereas copolymer synthesized in solution with 50 mol% (−)-MnMA feed was transparent with some optical rotation, and compatible for drawing into fibres. Hence, PMMA-co-P(−)-MnMA in the current study is a potential chiral material for use in POF.

Electroactive self-assembling hydrogels for flexible display technology

The well-known redox-active molecule anthraquinone has been functionalised with glycine to produce an electroactive self-assembling molecular gel. Spectroelectrochemical experiments show a reversible variation in transmittance over the entire visible spectrum suggesting direct electrical control over the self-assembly process. This may have applications in flexible conformal displays.

Polymer optical fibre with enhanced surface properties via surface chemistry modifications

Surface properties of POF can be readily modified by various surface chemistry modification techniques. Many practical and novel properties including chemical resistance, thermal stability and electrical conductivity can be incorporated onto POF via these techniques.

Polymer optical fibre (POF) from p(methyl methacrylate) bearing chiral materials: Novel mechanism of light gudiance

POFs were fabricated using poly(methyl methacrylates), PMMA bearing chirality from (-)-menthly methacrylates ((-)-MnMA) or L-lactide via free radical polymerisation. This approach potentially enables the development of a light guiding mechanism in POF.